The emergence of new localities of Orobanche bartlingii Griseb. in the Silesian-Cracow Upland as a result of the spreading of Libanotis pyrenaica (L.) Bourgh. due to changes in land use : [poster]

During the last few decades, many cultivated fields and grazed grasslands have disappeared in the Silesian- Cracow Upland. Therefore, abandoned lands occupy now a large area there. As a result of these changes, some plant species have significantly increased the area of occurrence. Libanotis pyrenaica is one of them. In many places it begins to behave like an expansive species (Fragment tekstu)

Characteristics of the flora of fallow lands on rendzina soils on the Twardowice Plateau (Silesian Upland)

The paper presents the results of investigations on the flora of fallow lands on rendzina soils. The research was carried out in the area of the Twardowice Plateau (the Silesian Upland) within 9 areas adjacent to xerothermic grasslands. The investigated flora consisted of 220 vascular plant species with the dominance of native taxa. Plants of xerothermic grasslands and thermophilous edges were the most numerous (32%). The dominance of Libanotis pyrenaica in 4 of the examined areas should be emphasized. The percentage of meadow species was also considerable (25%). Anthropophytes comprised 18% of the flora of fallow lands and archaeophytes prevailed among them (9%). Solidago canadensis, an invasive species, was the constant component of the investigated fallows and sometimes its coverage was remarkable. As a result of the high proportion of xerothermic and thermophilous plants, plants associated with dry soils and soils having an intermediate character between dry and fresh, as well as plants preferring slightly acidic to alkaline soils poor in nitrogen compounds predominated in the investigated fallows. Perennial plants prevailed (65%) in the studied flora and slightly more than half of the species reproduced only by seeds. Competitive plant species (C strategists) had the highest proportion (39%) and species with intermediate strategies CSR, CR and CS were also numerous. The investigations have shown that there are favourable conditions for settling and growth of many xerothermic species in the investigated fallow lands. Moreover, the neighbouring grasslands are the seed source for these areas

Excavations of the Twardowice Plateau (Silesian Upland) as refuges for xerothermic plant species

Paper concerns the flora of excavations from the area of the Twardowice Plateau, one of the regions of the Silesian Upland. These are rather shallow and small pits, which are remnants of exploitation of Triassic limestone and, rarely, iron ore. The studies showed that these excavations are the places where many species of vascular plants occurred. Xerothermic plants, which penetrated from adjacent grasslands, form the largest group (33%) among the 212 noted species. Some of them occurred much more frequently in the excavations than in the grasslands and some were found only in the excavations. It should be emphasized that 8 protected species were present in the investigated objects. Results from the Twardowice Plateau proved that many xerothermic plants could find suitable conditions for growth and survival in limestone excavations

Characteristics of the flora of fallow lands on rendzina soils on the Twardowice Plateau (Silesian Upland)

The paper presents the results of investigations on the flora of fallow lands on rendzina soils. The research was carried out in the area of the Twardowice Plateau (the Silesian Upland) within 9 areas adjacent to xerothermic grasslands. The investigated flora consisted of 220 vascular plant species with the dominance of native taxa. Plants of xerothermic grasslands and thermophilous edges were the most numerous (32%). The dominance of Libanotis pyrenaica in 4 of the examined areas should be emphasized. The percentage of meadow species was also considerable (25%). Anthropophytes comprised 18% of the flora of fallow lands and archaeophytes prevailed among them (9%). Solidago canadensis, an invasive species, was the constant component of the investigated fallows and sometimes its coverage was remarkable. As a result of the high proportion of xerothermic and thermophilous plants, plants associated with dry soils and soils having an intermediate character between dry and fresh, as well as plants preferring slightly acidic to alkaline soils poor in nitrogen compounds predominated in the investigated fallows. Perennial plants prevailed (65%) in the studied flora and slightly more than half of the species reproduced only by seeds. Competitive plant species (C strategists) had the highest proportion (39%) and species with intermediate strategies CSR, CR and CS were also numerous. The investigations have shown that there are favourable conditions for settling and growth of many xerothermic species in the investigated fallow lands. Moreover, the neighbouring grasslands are the seed source for these areas

Xerothermic grasslands of Pilica surroundings - diversity, threats and directions of changes

Xerothermic grasslands from three stands in the surroundings of the town of Pilica in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland were investigated. It was ascertained that they represent two phytosociological units: Adonido-Brachypodietum (with two variants) and Silene otites-Thymus austriacus community. Moreover, phytocoenoses with a high contribution of xerothermic plants (Thymus-Anthyllis vulneraria community) were found in some places on the abandoned fields. On the basis of the comparison of new data and old phytosociological releves, only slight changes over 30 years were observed. The differences concerned mostly the coverage of particular species. However, some plants disappeared and other were new (e.g. seedlings of trees and shrubs). Generally, these species were not too frequent and had inconsiderable cover. The changes which occurred manifested themselves also in the differences of mean values of some ecological indicators and in the increase of competitors, as well as clonal species

Kinin-generating cellular model obtained from human glioblastoma cell line U-373

Kinins, a group of important pro-inflammatory peptides, are abundantly found in tissues and biological fluids of cancer patients. Bradykinin, the major representative of kinins, induces vascular permeability and, in consequence, promotes tumor expansion. Additionally, the kinin-induced inflammatory responses, especially those mediated by kinin metabolites without the C-terminal arginine residue, lead to enhanced tumor growth. The present study aimed at analyzing the ability of the human glioblastoma cell line U-373, derived from a malignant tumor, to produce kinin peptides. The proteins involved in kinin generation, i.e., the kininogens and the kallikreins, were shown to be expressed in these cells. Moreover, tumor necrosis factor α, a proinflammatory cytokine that mediates tumorigenesis, was found to enhance the expression of enzymes associated with kinin production. The strong binding of kininogen to the cell surface and the enzymatic degradation of this protein by cells suggest the activation of kinin-generating systems. Indeed, glioblastoma cells, pre-treated with tumor necrosis factor α, released kinin peptides from exogenous kininogen. The expression of kinin receptors in these cells was also shown to increase under the influence of this cytokine. Our results suggest that the human glioblastoma cell line U-373 constitutes a good cellular model that can be helpful in cancer research focused on kinin-induced inflammation. Furthermore, our findings can contribute to new approaches in cancer treatment with the use of kinin receptor antagonists and inhibitors of kinin production

Związki pomiędzy roślinnością terenów poprzemysłowych a parametrami fizykochemicznymi podłoża

Określenie zależności między wybranymi gatunkami traw porastających teren dawnej huty cynku a parametrami fizyczno-chemicznymi podłoża. Potwierdzenie założenia, że odległość od emitora ma wpływ zarówno na zawartość metali ciężkich w glebach oraz w roślinach, jak również na biomasę roślin

Policy towards adult and juvenile perpetrators violating sexual freedom: Selected problems

W ciągu ostatnich kilkunastu lat polityka karna wobec sprawców przestępstw seksualnych uległa zaostrzeniu. Ustawodawca zwiększył sankcje wobec sprawców takich czynów, wprowadził także ograniczenie w stosowaniu wobec nich środków takich jak zawieszenie wykonania kary czy też zatarcie skazania. Jednocześnie do systemu wprowadzono szereg instytucji zajmujących się przestępcami seksualnymi, takich jak Państwowa Komisja do spraw wyjaśniania przypadków czynności skierowanych przeciwko wolności seksualnej i obyczajności wobec małoletniego poniżej lat 15, czy Rejestr Sprawców Przestępstw na Tle Seksualnym, których celem jest nadzór i kontrola sprawców.W artykule przeanalizowana zostanie polityka prowadzona wobec dwóch grup sprawców: dorosłych i nieletnich, którzy dopuścili się różnych form naruszenia wolności seksualnej. Po wprowadzeniu przedstawiającym przestępczość seksualną w ujęciu ilościowym, omówione zostaną sankcje stosowane wobec dorosłych oraz środki wychowawcze orzekane wobec nieletnich: posłużą one ocenie, czy w istocie należy mówić o konsekwentnej i surowej polityce w obszarze zwalczania przestępczości seksualnej.Szczególna uwaga poświęcona będzie rejestrowi sprawców przestępstw seksualnych, jako instytucji stosowanej – wyjątkowo – i wobec nieletnich, i sprawców dorosłych. Przedstawione zostaną problemy w funkcjonowaniu rejestru, zwłaszcza w przypadku nieletnich, a także problemy natury procesowej ujawnione w pierwszych 5 latach jego działania. W podsumowaniu uwag zakreślony zostanie z kolei kierunek dalszych badań, które – w ocenie autorek – pozwolą na ustalenie oczekiwań ofiar przestępstw seksualnych wobec polityki karnej.In the past few years, the penal policy against sex offenders has become more strict and harsh. The sanctions against the perpetrators of such acts have been increased, while measures such as suspended sentences or removal of convictions have been limited. At the same time, a number of institutions dedicated to sex offenders have been introduced to the system, such as the State Commission investigating paedophilia cases or the register of sex offenders, the purpose of which is to supervise and control the perpetrators.The article discusses the public policy towards two groups of perpetrators: both adults and minors who have committed various forms of violation of sexual freedom. After an introduction presenting sexual crimes in quantitative terms, the sanctions against adults and the educational measures imposed against minors are discussed. They are used to assess whether the policy for combating acts that violate sexual freedom is consistent and strict.Particular attention is paid to the sex offenders register as an institution used – exceptionally – both against juveniles and adult offenders. Selected problems in the functioning of the register will be presented, especially in the case of minors, as well as procedural shortcomings revealed in the first five years of its operation.In the summary, the direction of further research will be outlined, which – in the authors’ opinion – will help determine the expectations of victims of sexual crimes regarding criminal policy

Zapobieganie wykluczeniu rówieśniczemu w gimnazjum

Artykuł przedstawia opis projektu interwencji edukacyjnej mającej zapobiegać zjawisku wykluczenia rówieśniczego, które pojawia się w pierwszych tygodniach nauki w gimnazjum. Uzasadniono potrzebę stworzenia takiej interwencji na podstawie doniesień badawczych świadczących o nasilaniu się problemu wykluczenia rówieśniczego w polskich gimnazjach. Opisano założenia i etapy realizacji projektu. W ramach eksploracyjnego badania jakościowego przeprowadzonego z udziałem uczniów i nauczycieli gimnazjów potwierdzono istotny wpływ atmosfery w klasie na funkcjonowanie uczniów i nauczycieli w szkole i poza nią oraz określono cechy uczniów najbardziej narażonych na wykluczenie rówieśnicze. Stwierdzono też, że uczniowie, pomimo wiedzy o konsekwencjach zachowań wykluczających, bagatelizują skutki własnych zachowań tego typu. Opisano założenia programu i przedstawiono wyniki ewaluacji wstępnej, potwierdzającej skuteczność programu